Glaucoma eye drop, VYZULTA™, receives FDA approval!

The FDA just approved Bausch + Lomb’s new glaucoma eye drop, VYZULTA™ (latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic solution, 0.024%). In scientific terms, VYZULTA™ is the first prostaglandin analog with one of its metabolites being nitric oxide (NO). It’s indicated to decrease eye pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma (or ocular hypertension) by increasing the outflow of fluid inside the eye.

What are the clinical results?

Numerous efficacy studies have shown VYZULTA™ being the most effective eye pressure lowering medication to date!

Are there side effects?⠀

Yes. The most common are redness, eye irritation, eye pain, and discomfort upon drop installation. As with other prostaglandin eye drops, increased pigmentation of the iris/skin around the eyes and growth of eyelashes can occur.

There is no word yet on cost or when eye doctors can start prescribing VYZULTA™, but company representatives have said the medication will hit the market by the end of 2017.

The FTC sues 1-800 Contacts

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed an administrative complaint charging that 1-800 Contacts, the largest online retailer of contact lenses in the United States, unlawfully orchestrated a web of anticompetitive agreements with rival online contact lens sellers.

According to the FTC, 1-800 Contacts has suppressed competition in certain online search advertising auctions and restricted truthful and non-misleading internet advertising to consumers. The FTC alleges that 1-800 Contacts entered into bidding agreements with at least 14 competing online contact lens retailers that eliminate competition in auctions to place advertisements on the search results page generated by online search engines such as Google and Bing.

In short, the complaint states that these bidding agreements have restricted competition among online sellers, thereby resulting in consumers paying higher prices for contact lenses. Not. Good.

Allergan’s patent transfer falls short

Last month a federal judge in Texas ruled that four of the patents for the dry eye treatment Restasis are invalid. This news comes after Allergan sought to protect its patents by transferring them to a Native American tribe. For a quick refresher on this story, click here.

Does Restasis have a generic?

The pharmaceutical company Imprimis has announced they’ll be making compounded cyclosporin as a cheaper alternative to Restasis. Stay tuned for updates as things unfold.

November 10th was World Keratoconus Day

What is keratoconus?

Keratoconus is a progressive thinning of the normally round, dome-shaped cornea (front part of your eye). This causes an abnormal cone-like bulge to develop. If left untreated, this can cause blurry, distorted vision that may not be perfectly corrected with glasses or contact lenses.

How do I prevent it?

Unfortunately, the exact cause is still unknown. Therefore, creating awareness is key for early detection, management, and treatment.

November is diabetic eye disease awareness month

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in working-age Americans. By 2030, an estimated 11 million people will have diabetic retinopathy.

What is diabetic eye disease?

Diabetic eye disease, a group of eye conditions that affects people with diabetes, includes diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. Diabetic retinopathy is a potentially blinding condition in which the blood vessels inside the retina (the back of the eye) become damaged from the high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes. This leads to fluids leaking into the retina and obstructing blood flow.

Hello! I'm Dr. Amanda Rights and I'm an optometrist practicing in Boone, North Carolina.
I graduated from Appalachian State University and the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University. I completed my clinical training with a focus on Low Vision and Ocular Disease management.
When I'm not practicing optometry, I write OptomEyesLife, an independent ocular health and lifestyle blog that covers current trends in optometry, eye care, eyewear, nutrition, and everything in between.